Feijoa variety named &#39;Anatoki&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new  feijoa  variety designated by the varietal name ‘Anatoki’ is disclosed and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing a large fruit which is ripe for harvesting on or about 15 April under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand.

RELATED PATENT DATA

The present application claims priority from the New Zealand Plant Variety Rights Application Serial No. FEI011, which was filed on Jun. 27, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of feijoa ‘Acca sellowiana’ and more specifically to a feijoa variety which produces fruit for harvesting in the very early season, that is, from at least about 11 Apr. 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand.

It has long been recognized that it would be desirable to provide a feijoa variety that bears a crop earlier in the season than those varieties that it is most closely similar to, and under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. In this regard, several well known and popular feijoa varieties are harvested in both the early and late seasons near Nelson, New Zealand. However, their respective fruit sizes are relatively small, on average, when compared to the large fruit size produced by the present variety of feijoa. More specifically, the variety of feijoa identified by the varietal name ‘Opal Star’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,825) is characterized by producing relatively small fruit (about 85 grams) during the late season, that is, from about 16 May 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. Still further, the variety ‘Apollo’ (unpatented), produces an average sized fruit weighing about 100 grams, and which is ripe for harvesting about 18 Apr. 2008 under the same ecological conditions. Still further, the unpatented variety ‘Triumph’ produces a small fruit (about 85 grams) and which is ripe for harvesting about 18 Apr 2008 under the same ecological conditions. Still further, the unpatented variety ‘Triumph’ produces a small fruit (about 85 grams), and which is ripe for harvesting about 23 May 2008 under the same ecological conditions. Yet further, the variety ‘Unique’ (unpatented) also produces a small fruit (about 85 grams), and which is ripe in the early season for harvesting, that is, on or about 18 Apr. 2008 under the conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. Moreover, the present variety is similar in some respects to the feijoa variety ‘Kaiteri’ (US patent pending, Serial Number yiet to be assigned), and which is ripe for harvesting in the very early season, that is, from on or about 4 Apr. 2008 near Nelson, New Zealand. Still further, the new variety is somewhat similar to the variety ‘Kakariki’ (US patent pending, Serial Number yet to be assigned), and which produces a large fruit (about 125 grams) in the very early season from about 28 Mar. 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. In contrast, the present variety is distinguishable therefrom, and characterized as to novelty by producing a large fruit (about 110 grams) in the very early season, that is, from at least about 11 Apr. 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. In view of it's early harvesting date and large size, the present variety provides a degree of commercial and consumer appeal not present with other known varieties.

ORIGIN AND SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

The present variety of feijoa was derived fron a selective cross pollination of the unpatented feijoa variety ‘Apollo’ and an unnamed seedling which was conducted in the cultivated area of the Applicant's farm during the 2004 growing season. The present variety ‘Anatoki’ was first asexually propagated from cuttings taken from this first asexually reproduced plant. Subsequent thereto, it has been established that the asexually reproduced plants derived from these cuttings are true over successive generations. The present variety is unique and novel as to other varieties it is most closely similar to, by producing a large sized fruit having an average weight of about 110 grams, and which is ripe for harvesting and shipment on or about 11 Apr. 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings which are provided are color photographs of the new variety of feijoa. The colors in these photographs are as nearly true as is reasonably possible on a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing, and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates as provided by The Royal Horticulture Society Colour Charts (1995 Edition).

FIG. 1 is a color photograph depicting the new variety of feijoa growing on it's own roots and which is approximately 4 years old.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a typical fruit sufficiently matured for harvesting.

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

The following detailed description has been prepared to solely comply with the provisions of 35 USC §112, and does not constitute a commercial warranty (either expressed or implied), that the present variety will, in the future, display the botanical or other varietal characteristics as set forth in this application. Therefore, this disclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legal claims, which include, but are not limited to breach of warranty of merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringement which is directed in whole, or in part, to the present variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

-   Tree:     -   -   Origin.—The present variety was selected from a selective             cross-pollination of the unpatented feijoa variety ‘Apollo’             and an unnamed seedling in 2004. Subsequent asexual             reproductions of the present variety have been shown to             remain true to type over successive generations.         -   Vigor.—Considered average for the variety.         -   Tree form.—Ramified.         -   Growth habit.—Considered spreading.         -   Size.—About 2 meters in height.         -   Crown diameter.—About 2 meters when measured at a height of             about 1 meter above the ground. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—About 7 cm. when measured at a distance of about             20 cm. above the ground.         -   Bark texture.—Rough and considered somewhat flaky.         -   Bark color.—Grey-brown (RHS 199B). -   Leaves:     -   -   Leaf length.—On average about 70 mm.         -   Leaf width.—On average about 35 mm.         -   Leaf shape.—Elliptical.         -   Marginal form.—Considered straight.         -   Leaf color.—Upper surface — Green (RHS 139A).         -   Leaf color.—Lower surface — Grey-green (RHS 190C). -   Flowers:     -   -   Number of flowers per cluster.—4 or 5 are typically found             per cluster.         -   Petals.—Quantity — 4.         -   Petal color.—Upper surface — White (RHS 155C).         -   Petal color.—Lower surface — Red-purple (RHS 65D).         -   Sepals.—Quantity — 4.         -   Stamins.—Quantity — Numerous.         -   Stamins.—Color — Red (RHS 45C).         -   Pistil.—Quantity — 1.         -   Pistil.—Color — Red (RHS 45A).         -   Pollination.—Generally — Considered self-infertile. The             inventor has discovered that any feijoa variety that flowers             at approximately the same time of the season appears to be a             suitable pollinator. -   Fruit:     -   -   Size.—At full commercial maturity, considered large and             having an average weight of about 110 grams.         -   Fruit length.—On average, about 70 mm.         -   Fruit width.—On average, about 55 mm.         -   Fruit shape.—Generally speaking obovoid when considered in             profile.         -   Skin surface texture.—Slightly irregularly bumpy.         -   Skin color.—Green (RHS 136C).         -   Flesh texture.—Generally considered soft and having a small             amount of gritty flesh near the skin.         -   Flesh flavor.—Considered acidic and sweet. The flesh is             aromatic.         -   Brix.—At the appropriate harvesting time, about 10.2             degrees.         -   Flesh color.—White (RHS 157C).         -   Harvesting time.—Considered very early under the ecological             conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand, that is             beginning on or about 15 Apr. This date of harvesting is             contingent upon the ambient environmental conditions             prevailing at Nelson, New Zealand.         -   Fruit use.—For fresh local markets and processed             consumption.         -   Fruit storage.—Typically, about 28 days at a temperature of             1 degree Celsius. The fruit of the present variety has a             shelf life of about 2 to 7 days.

Although the new variety of feijoa possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing at or near Nelson, New Zealand, it is to be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning and pest control are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of feijoa as substantially shown and described and which is ripe for harvesting on or about 15 April under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. 